A TERRIFIED pub boss has left Bolton after receiving a series of chilling death threats.

Chas Hooper left the Pilkington Arms in Daubhill after a man called him on the telephone and said: "Get out now or I'm going to kill you."

The 60-year-old does not know who made the calls or why he was targeted.

But he says he is too frightened to return to Bolton -- the place where he grew up and dreamed of retiring. He is now living in Lancashire.

"I feared for my life," he said. "I just knew I had to get out before it was too late." Jazz drummer Mr Hooper, who runs a band called the Chas Hooper Swing Six, returned to Bolton after a successful 22-year career in another town.

He hoped to turn the Derby Street pub into a venue for fellow musicians and spent thousands of pounds renovating the building. He also created a music shop upstairs.

But, just a few months after he opened the doors, he received four anonymous calls.

He was told his every movement was being watched and that he would be killed if he stepped outside.

He said: "I was looking forward to starting the new year and to making my business successful. But then I started getting these calls.

"They left me in no doubt that my life was in danger.

"How do you explain it? I've got no idea why anyone would do such a thing, but it seemed to be an orchestrated campaign to get rid of me.

"It's very frightening when you're living on your own in a pub and you get calls like that.

"I love Bolton. I met some wonderful people when I returned, but I've moved away now.

"I doubt if I'll ever go back again."

The pub is now being run by a temporary manager who did not want to comment on the situation with Mr Hooper.

A spokeman for Bolton police said the phone calls were being investigated.

Anyone with information should call 0161 856 5622 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Chas is

hounded

out of

his pub